Resource · 3 min read
How to Get an EIN for Your LLC
It's free, it's issued by the IRS directly, and you'll need it before you can open a business bank account.
What an EIN is for
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify your business, the same way a Social Security Number identifies an individual. You need one to open a business bank account, file federal taxes, hire employees, and apply for most business licenses.
Who can apply
Any LLC can apply once it has been legally formed with the state. If you're a U.S. citizen or resident with a Social Security Number, you can apply online directly through the IRS and typically receive your EIN immediately. If you're a non-U.S. resident forming a U.S. LLC without an SSN or ITIN, the application has to be submitted by phone, fax, or mail instead, which can take several weeks.
Common mistakes
Applying before your LLC is officially approved by the state (your EIN application will be rejected), and paying a third party a large markup for something the IRS provides for free — the EIN itself never has a government fee attached to it.